St. Patrick's Luck

Chapter 1

Currently I'm cleaning the gutters before raking the yard of an eledery woman in her fifties and is single and her seven children don't live near her in order to help her when she needs.

I have met one of her son's about a month ago when he hand managed to take time off of work to visit his mother with his husband and their three adopted teenage children.

The entire time, Miss Wendy's oldest grandson, Phoenix was staring at me, causing me to feel uncomfortable as I work for her silently as the five of them were sitting around her front porch.

Once I've completed my work, instead of leaving right away as I've planned, Miss Wendy managed to convice me to stay and have dinner with them that her son-in-law, Reid made - lasagna, rolls and steamed broccolli.

Reluctintly I'm sitting in between Phoenix and his younger brother Roman while Nova (the youngest brother) sits next to Roman. Reid and his husband, Patrick sit opposite of us with Miss Wendy.

The entire dinner, I feel uncomfortable since Reid, Patrick and Miss Wendy ask me questions about my family and how old I am and other personal questions. Questions that I have to try and answer without seeming like I'm hiding something (which I am) and not reviel that I am a 16 year old runaway.

Finally I'm able to leave once dinner was consumed and the dishes where cleared; allowing me to retreat back to my small dirty ally. All I know is that I have to be more careful around Miss Wendy and anyone else as I do the small odd jobs for otherwise; or I am going to have to leave for another town.

My luck is not that of St. Patrick that is for damn sure. I just have to be more careful than I have been and keep being guarded for the next two years. I might have a rough life since the fire took my family six months ago but I'm a tough kid. I'm trying to make the best of my life until I can return home and live the life I  want.

Climbing onto my dirty, thin futon matress, sititing criss-cross I take my backpack off my shoulders to pull out my blaneket, covering myself after slipping my bag back onto my back; safer that way to keep my important posessions in the bag and attached to my body, when I first arrived here, someone stole my clothes and my blanket since I had thought I had hidden them well enough while I was gone.

Leaning back against the wall, closing my eyes, thinking of an escape plan in case Miss Wendy or her family figure out that I'm homeless and lying about everything. I know with what Miss Wendy paid me today along with dinne which will allow me not to eat tomorrow, I have enough money to buy a bus ticket for at least two towns away.

Sighing softly as I open my eyes to take in my surroundings before staring at the beautiful pink, purple and blue sunset; wishing as the sun settles down that I wake tomorrow morning and that one one figures out my secreats and I can make the best out of my situation for the next two years.

Miss Wendy wants me to arrive at her house tomorrow at 9 a.m. for a few more home repairs and yard work, so I quickly settle myself down onto my matress, curling into myself under my blanket and after some time drift off to sleep.

As the sun starts to rise the next morning, the sun glares onto my eyelids, effectifly waking me. Glancing around, taking in that there are no others around me thankfully, so I stretch while standing before folding my blanket and place it back in my bag. Heading off to the local 'Y' where I can have a shower and a free breakfast if there is any left.

Entering the front doors, Cindy the receptionist smiles brightly at me as I sign in before walking away to the men's locker room where I can relieve my screaming bladder before showering and brushing my teeth and hair.

Twenty minutes later, I'm leaving the locker room clean and heading to the food court to see if there is anything left. The ladies who run the food area will give me food for free if there is any that they would normally throw away after breakfast has been purchased by those who pay to use the 'Y' gym and whatever else the place offers.